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Cruise News - Maritime News

SUPERSTAR GWEN STEFANI names CARNIVAL JUBILEE, the first cruise ship christening in Galveston

c: Carnival Cruise Line

The stars were out in Texas on Saturday as Carnival Cruise Line celebrated the naming of its new flagship Carnival Jubilee, global music superstar Gwen Stefani was honored as the ship's godmother, and Feb. 24 was declared "Carnival Jubilee Day" by Galveston Mayor Craig Brown – all on the same day that marked the 100th birthday of the late Ted Arison, Carnival Cruise Line's founder. To see highlights from the event, click here.

Stefani spent the day on the ship, visiting the bridge to meet the captain and blowing the ship's horn and then cutting the ribbon at several venues including: 

  • Joining Carnival Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse at his newest Emeril's Bistro on Carnival's Excel class ships
  • The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's sculpture, where she met Ty Crowninshield who drew the artwork that inspired the sculpture while he was a patient at the hospital
  • The EFFY Jewelry store, where she was presented with her godmother gift of an EFFY Legacy panther ring.

After a cocktail reception and celebratory lunch, the invited guests of public officials, community leaders, travel advisors, business partners and Carnival cruisers attended the 45-minute naming ceremony in the ship's theater. Noting that Carnival Jubilee is the first brand new ship to be homeported in Galveston, and the first cruise ship to be christened in Galveston, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy welcomed the guests and thanked the Galveston community for their decades of support. And with reference to the embossed Texas star on the bow of the ship, she assured them that Galveston is Carnival Jubilee's forever home.

Carnival Jubilee is homeported year-round in Galveston, sailing week-long Western Caribbean cruises. The ship is powered by a liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology platform and accommodates 6,500 guests and 1,750 crew. Leveraging technology and enriched by detailed theming, the ship celebrates the sea and features the ultimate fun, from a top-deck roller coaster to a resort-like retreat. Carnival recently announced that a fourth Excel sister ship will join Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras in 2027.

Click here to watch the special ceremony.  For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com,

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